Hong Kong’s unemployment rate remains at 3.5%, continuing 30-month high

Hong Kong’s jobless rate remained at 3.5 per cent between April and June, continuing the 30-month high set during the previous three month, with authorities warning of an ongoing uncertain external environment and worsening unemployment from more graduates entering the workforce.

Preliminary data from the Census and Statistics Department on Thursday showed that the number of unemployed people during the three months was 136,200, slightly higher than 135,800 in the previous three months.

“While the unemployment and underemployment rates … remained the same as those of the preceding three-month period, various industries in Hong Kong are undergoing transition, and their respective unemployment rates have different trends,” Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han said.

He added that future jobless rates would hinge on the overall economic performance of the city, and warned that an influx of fresh graduates would have an impact on the overall employment situation.

“Nevertheless, the continued expansion of the Hong Kong economy should provide support to the labour market,” he said.

The department said job losses were mainly in the arts, entertainment and recreation sector, and professional and business services sector.